Why Newt's Marriages Are Fair Game

Newt Gingrich may have been "frankly astounded" at John King's "trash" question last night about his ex-wife—but that's "pretty rich" coming from him, notes Ariel Levy in the New Yorker. Indeed, "I am frankly astounded that Gingrich hasn’t been asked more about his various affairs and divorces," Levy notes. Such questions are totally legitimate considering, first, "how merciless and, obviously, hypocritical he was when, as Speaker of the House, he was calling for Clinton’s head on a plate during Monicagate."

If that's not enough, consider "how sanctimonious he continues to be on the campaign trail, ranting about the encroachment of secular values into American life." And Newt's accusation that the "trash" question is an example of the media "protecting Barack Obama" is way off base: It's actually "conservative, religious voters who have been the most concerned by what they see as profound defects in Gingrich’s character and judgment." Take it from Gingrich's sister, a gay rights activist: "It’s not my place to judge anyone, but it’s frustrating as hell that there are people—my brother included—that are able to enjoy marriage equality more than once.” (Hypocrite or not, it looks like Newt won the debate.)